The Reform of the Zoccolanti Fathers

54 The Reform of the Observants during the pontificate of Clement VII 55 Three reasons for such a Reform 56 The necessity for the Capuchin Reform

(54) Not long after, during the time of Clement VII, zealous friars realised that the Rule was not observed anywhere, and that the whole Order was governed by privileges. Many learned and holy men then took up the struggle to do another Reform. The fracas between the zealous Friars and the lax Friars lasted a long time during the time of Clement VII. Finally, it was decided that the Reform had to be done. More Bulls were obtained to that end, but these had no effect in Chapters. Among these zealous Friars were the Very Rev. Padre Frate Bernardino d’Asti and Frate Francesco da Iesi. They obtained a Bull for the Reform from His Holiness. When Padre Francesco da Iesi returned to the Provincial Chapter convened at Our Lady of the Angels with the authority of the Bull, he thought to undertake the Reform in the Province of Saint Francis. However, the lax Friars rose up and so prevailed that he was imprisoned together with Padre Frate Battista da Norcia. Realizing that among the Zoccolanti Fathers that the reform was not possible, as good as it would be, they thought about reforming themselves in some other way. In this way it was conceived the heart of the friars to begin the Capuchin Reform.

(55) You see then how many Reforms have started in the holy Order of Saint Francis. All because when that violent movement of the spirit diminishes, the natural movement quickly gains momentum like a big rock dropped from a tower or some other high place. At first, when the natural movement is weak, such a fall is easily arrested. However, as the stone falls further it can gain enough momentum to shatter a timber beam put in its way. On the other hand, if a strong arm provides the violent motion, a stone could kill a man as soon as it is thrown. However it soon loses so much momentum in the end that it would hardly kill a fly. Since living according to the spirit is violent motion, all the holy Orders have begun with this kind of movement. Because it is difficult for such a movement to continue for very long, the natural motion towards decline increases to the extent that quite a lot of men would oppose the violent movement. And it would quite impossible to prevail with these men. When there is a large number of lax Friars reforming them is impossible and provokes an angry reaction. Then those who are zealous about observing the Rule go off together to reform themselves. This is what caused the Reform and why reforms have been necessary.

As the Apostle Paul says the spirit does not agree with the flesh, nor can they rule together. Rather the flesh always persecutes the spirit and the spirit persecutes the flesh in an ongoing, civil war. With good reason Our Lord said, “Narrow is the road that leads to life.” He meant that the path is strenuous and that the blessed life is acquired with violence and effort. This is the violent motion. The road that leads to hell is broad and many go down it because to walk according to nature along the way of pleasure is easy and very appropriate for a corrupt nature. This is natural motion, which is weak initially because it begins so small. Then all along the way it becomes involved in sensuality. This becomes a habit that can only be broken with difficulty. The violent motion, on the other hand, is strong at the beginning. This is seen to have been the case at the beginning of the Church and all its Orders. With the movement of the spirit, the Church attained such heights in the beginning which were almost impossible to reach.

(56) Obviously then the Capuchin Congregation was necessary. So those who say that anyone could have lived in the body of the Order and observe the Rule are very much deceived. The impetus of the lax Friars was so strong that it was impossible to stand up to them. However, according to the times, the Order had to reform, as I have shown – at least in a few Friars. Just as Our Lord says: generally they are few who walk the narrow road of the way of the spirit and the perfect observance of the Rule. To realise these Reforms human ingenuity was not enough. The grace of God was necessary. Therefore it was holy men who took up the task.